Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Retailers in the United States sell red merchandise in November and December because people tend to wear more red during the holidays. Some of my clients, both men and women, don’t wear red at all during the year, but will pull out a red top, sweater, dress, skirt, bag or shoes, and wear them for dressy or casual Christmas events. There is something about the colour that makes them feel extra festive at this time of year.

Twenty-five years ago, I couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t like the colour red. To me, it is virtually a neutral. And I mean all shades of it. From the brightest orangey tomato red, to a true fire engine red, and bluer based darker reds like oxblood, claret and burgundy. Of course, I soon realized that colour preferences are highly subjective and can stir up a lot of emotion.

Most of my clients enjoy wearing a darker, blue based red like oxblood and burgundy, while a smaller team bats for brighter, orange based reds. Many of them will wear their preferred shade of red throughout the year, but amp things up at Christmas time. Others prefer to wear red in a more subtle way, like as an accent in a pattern, or in an accessory like a scarf, bag, hat or eyewear, as a lipstick, or on a pair of shoes. A handful of my clients won’t touch red at all.

A bright, happy and sour tomato red has been one of my favourite colours for as long as I can remember. I will wear it at any time of the year, and in just about any wardrobe item. I don’t make a point of wearing more red during the holidays, but will gladly do so if it works out that way, as it did with my outfit for this year’s holiday bash at The Georgian.

Over to you. How do you incorporate red into your style, and do you make a point of wearing more of it during the holidays? Or do you not wear red at all?

Forum conversations about this post

Share this Post

If there was one colour that would survive all wardrobe clear outs, it’s red. I love it. I wear it as neutrals and as accent colour. I have all main pieces in this colour – the dress, skirt, sweater, turtleneck, button-up, scarves… even the hose. Did I say I love it

I love red, but strangely I don’t have all that much of it in my wardrobe at the moment I do however have a thick winter coat in a boiled wool fabric. I’m going to be getting some fab red wool for my mum to knit up too. My favourite reds are coral reds and more muted brick type reds.

Interesting….like Ornella, red is my favorite color. It is the accent color in my Kitchen…a red enamel pot sits on my stove. it is the accent color in my Living Room as well….red pillows and red in the drapes. I own 2 red leather handbags…one cranberry, one true red. I wear red jeans.

As I get older I am thinking red is a little strong around my face, so I am gravitating to using it more as an accent. It still makes me happy. I hestitate to wear it year-round, however, because it seems so bold in the drab blue-jean/sweatpant world I live in. Maybe I need to rethink that!

Great topic…I have been having a discourse with color…I am making more of an effort to rein in my color choice…Basic neutrals seem to work best for me…All of that said, I have been considering the accent color to go with my two neutrals…Red is a strong color for me but it is still in the running…
(A suggested topic for the new year, how to select color to correspond with your neutrals…)
THX as always…

Team Red all year long here! It’s one of my favorite colors (in almost any shade) and holds a special place for me. After my father died we all realized that every year for Christmas he had bought each of us (my mom, brother and me) a red item. The year I asked for a pink sweater I received 4 pink sweaters and one red one. It was clearly his favorite color and we’ve continued the tradition by always remembering to get a red gift.
I wear bright red and tomato red most often and it works for my preppy side as well as makes me happy.

Falling on the opposite side of the red spectrum from you, Angie – as opposed to a tomato red, I love a good bluish red. Why don’t I have red in my closet?? Your post makes me wonder! Red is such a dynamic color with lots of energy. New Year’s Resolution: wear some red!

I love an orangey red too and wear it all year long. One of my HEWIs is a fab red dress, fitted but not clingy, and a decent length. I looked again this season, and there was nothing. Oh well, I will have to make do with my red coat, handbag, sandals, skirt, sweater, blouse, scarves and gloves. Not all at once though :-).

I live in Nebraska where our university’s colors are red and white; I worked at our university for 27 years and my wardrobe is filled with red items. I love red and have lots of it in my closet. My best, warmest wool coats are red, including two vintage pea jackets and toggle coats. Red is a staple anchor, along with white, gray, black. Even my car is red.

There is a subgroup of people here who hate red because they hate the football culture and don’t wish to be associated with it. The custom at the U is to wear red on Fridays, esp in the fall prior to FB games.

Although many of my red items skew a bit toward “gear” I have nice work appropriate red pencil skirts, red sweaters, red blouses, etc. My favorite way to wear red is shoes.

So I am the cheerleader for Team Red, all year, not just for the holidays. (I just realized while typing this that my holiday colors are cobalt and purple. Interesting.)

I love red! It is a strong color with a lot of energy and it suits my personality as well… but for some reason I do not have many red items in my closet…Blue-red dress, cranberry booties, true red cape, true red pencil skirt, tomato red satchel…that’s about it! I like all shades of red but unfortunately tomato red is not my best red so I enjoy it through my single bag – and through you Angie!
Looking at this list it seems I am lacking the color red in tops…something I need to remedy!
Oh, and I got a true red lipstick for the holidays!

In Canada there is a fun children’s book called Red is Best, about a little girl who is picking out a new pair of galoshes. The title says it all!

I love red. Most flattering to me is cranberry or a rich blue red, and I try to have a coat in this colour always in my wardrobe. I also wear some burgundies, and wear true red as an accent or occasionally in a top, though it is a bit strong for me.

Bring on the red! When I was young, I wore classic red ballet flats by Old Maine Trotters. I still adore a red shoe. Red handbag? Bring it on! I have a red faux leather jacket from Chico’s now that I really like. It adds a beautiful punch of color, yet is strangely neutral. Team Red all the way!!

I’m a fan of red, and recently got red specs. I was surprised that they made me want to wear red less – but they do. Just that bit of red is enough, and much more feels matchy matchy, and not in a very good way.

That said, I do still wear it, just in smaller doses. Only three sweaters and a vest that are red survived my most recent purge.

I love red but wear different shades depending on how impactful I feel in it. My bright red lipstick is only worn for special-going out occasions because I feel like it says LOOK AT ME, whether or not that is true in real life. Shame because I really love it, but I do feel self conscious wearing it outside of those occasions. Same with my bright red dress. However my burgundy lipstick, pants and tops all get regular use as everyday items because I feel less dressy in them and not as though they YELL as loudly as the bright red. Does that make sense? So I guess I chose my red depending on the occasion, but I generally love all shades, in all items, even burgundy tights

Ahhhhh….my love affair with all things red in all shades of red continues…

I wear red in clothing, footwear, handbags, specs and lipstick. And I do not reserve it for Christmas – I love it all year round.

I did not wear red much at all when I used to color my hair but since I went au naturel with my salt-n-pepper, I have fallen deeply in love with the colour and think it suits my natural colouring so much better. I do think there is a shade of red for everyone and I think that the connotation of red being a “power” colour is quite true. I somehow feel more confident when I wear red.

Red is, and always has been my favorite color to wear. ( salt and pepper hair now, dark brown to black when I was younger, fair skin). I wear it all the time. I have two red winter coats, a red trench, several pairs of red shoes, red bags, scarves and belts. ( but I don’t wear them all together…I like one red accent.) I like red with navy and white in the spring/summer, and with black, charcoal in the colder months. Blue based reds are best for me, but I also like burgundies and wines.

I adore red, it is my favorite color. There always has been, always will be, a red coat in my closet. My favorite pair of boots is red, and my second favorite pair of boots is red. I do prefer warm red shades near my face. Long live red!

My one true red sweater just turned up with a big hole — in the armpit! But I do have a wonderful blue-red dress that’s part of my holiday wardrobe (too big for a capsule any more), as well as 2 new burgundy sweaters. My bright red pants finally bit the dust, which makes for a bit more subdued presence of red this year!

File me into the ‘red as an accent’ category. I like some bright red lipstick and bright red shoes, but I’d never wear a red dress or red sweater. For me, that would be too much, and I’d feel out of character. I might wear bright red on my bottom half, though. I actually do own a red and black plaid pencil skirt which I really like, but it’s a pattern, which tones down the stop-sign quality of bright red.

As for burgundy and oxblood, I don’t tend to think of those as reds, although technically they are. I like those colours and have worn them in the past, but these days I’m pulling away from them — except I do have a pair of booties in burgundy which I wear all the time.

I love the warmth and energy of red and use it in my home, garden, and wardrobe. I put together a small holiday capsule which includes burgundy and tomato red sweaters, a burgundy dress, bag and loafers and a pure red coat. (It includes several other colors as well.)

I have burgundies and I have oranges in my closet, but no true reds. I have a sugar-eye for corals and always skew to the orange side of the spectrum. I do pull out my burgundies and plums more around this time of year, yes. Making a mental note to try on some true red sweaters, just for fun to see how they look.

I guess on myself I prefer deeper reds, plums or a deep ruby red (bluish). I also like some of the softer muted rose reds and am awaiting a new sweater in that shade right now, hoping it’s not too light in color value for me. I bought a few orange reds over the years and they’ve all ended up being passed on.

I love red and always have! I like it as a bright tomato red (as in the skirt I’m wearing today) and as a dark bluish red. I wear red year-round and don’t really tend to wear it more often during the holiday season. I guess that’s because I see it as one of my central colors and use red in my outfits at least once per week. Wearing red – in any wardrobe item – elevates my happiness quotient by leaps and bounds!!

I have a strained relationship with red. I like it and like the warm reds near my face. I have a tomato red summer dress, leather satchel and a winter pullover, as well as other pieces in other shades of red, but I have problems actually wearing them except during the holiday season. And after New Years I want to put all that’s red away and wear something completely different. Maybe It’s red overload by then.
Maybe I need a red therapist. I want to wear it more but don’t reach for it. It helps to know that you have clients that don’t wear red and I’m not alone.

Oooooh. How interesting. Lots of love for red, but more on the true blue red, dark red and burgundy red side. Just like my clients. Go Team Red. Weird how I also think of it as a neutral. A shade of red works with everything.

Laura, I will hold you to that. xo

Jjsloane, I can relate to much of what you said, and liked reading about your Papa’s favourite colour. Fun story.

Shannon, Karie and Sveta, you look amazing in dark red.

Suz, as Queen Cranberry, you rock the shade. I love you in burgundy too.

Plam Fronds, I know just what you mean about bright red lipstick. I wear it for fancy bashes only. Feels festive, dramatic and more special that way.

I wear red all year round, although definitely more in fall and winter. I am Jewish, so my choice of red has nothing to do with Christmas. I like all shades of red, but my favorite shades are burgundy and cranberry reds.

I’ve never cared for it at all until just this year. I always thought it made an article of clothing look cheap and garish if not done in the best fabrication and was something worn by older women or little kids. I’ve never used it in my home either – only at Christmas, and even then judiciously. I cannot wear red lipstick or gloss at all, so it never was a colour that I worked with in any way.
This year, for some reason, I’m liking it! I’m seeing a lot more variation in the colour red – so the softer , more muted tones have made their way into a few things in my accessory collection now. The recent plaid trend has renewed my appreciation of a classic red tartan plaid – which I have in a scarf I quite like. I did buy a red sweater earlier this fall , but it sits unworn in my dresser. The silhouette and style was wrong, and I’m sad about that mistake as the sweater is perfectly nice -for someone else. I love every single photo you have posted – every one of them. The use of colour is fantastic and inspirational.

I guess I’m Team Red because with my neutral-dominated wardrobe whenever I go for a color it’s almost always red. It’s like a timidity or lack of imagination on my part. “Blues? Yellows? Purples? What will I do with them? I’ll take that red one.” My only handbags or gloves that aren’t black or brown are red, and I’m on the look-out for red shoes now as well.

And I picked up a tomato-red suede duster (about calf-length) at a vintage store a month or so ago. I’ve worn it over a cream sweater with brown pants a couple times, but it’s an awfully dramatic statement and I’m getting a little hesitant about it.

Red is the one color I do pull into my predominately black and white (and sometimes grey) palette. It can be a little startling that way and I like that. I do prefer the darker reds although I have a pretty Miyake more orange red turtleneck that works well peeking out from under black cropped or wraparound sweaters. I will do a nod to red for the holiday in either a bag, shoe, earrings jewelry (love vintage). I have some really great flats that are red with black trim that I really adore ands they are festive and comfy for a holiday event. The oxblood red I will pull into my treys, I have a gorgeous red leather wrap obi style belt with shoes to match that just takes the grey to another level. Have been playing around with the red and burgundy on the lips and nails as a holiday nod as well.
Accidental Iconhttp://www.accidentalicon.com

I used to wear a lot more red than I’m wearing currently. I’m leaning toward brick red and burgundy of late. I do however have a red jacket that I love to wear for Valentines day, especially with a hot pink pencil skirt.

As a pale skinned dark haired brunette, red should be my best friend. But i tend to feel costumey in it unless worn around the holidays. So I pop it in as an accent here and there. Part of the issue is that serious work clothing doesn’t tend to come in red – retailers go really dressy/holiday with their red pieces.

I found a lightweight red linen somewhat unstructured peplum jacket last year and it’s rumply and slightly faded enough not to feel costumey to me so I wore it a lot last summer.

All that said, I still think a red lip or short red nails never go out of style.

I wore red a LOT in the past. I even had a skirt suit in my favorite shade of red. But then I tired of it and most if it was purged out. The past year or so, I started liking it again and now have a few pieces in the closet. I do like wearing it a lot again. I prefer a cooler blue shade of red. And I am finding several pieces of it in the stores lately.

I do not like wearing the more orange-y shade of red. To me, it reads more orange than red and those are colors I just feel yuck in. Luckliy it looks good on other people so I can enjoy it that way. I’m also not a fan of oxblood/burgandy tones. Those feel so dreary on me. But its one of those colors I see on others and feel envious I cannot wear it.

Red is one of my favourite colours, so I wear it all the time. I prefer darker reds, but bright reds look better on me. I have at least one red item for every type of clothing e.g. tops, trousers, shoes, etc.

Red is my favorite color! I wear most shades but I’m with you, a tomato red can’t be beat. As you saw on my recent thread, I just bought a Zara jacket in that shade and can’t wait to wear it. Yay for Team Red!

I like red as an accent color in tiny amounts (on my person) because I tend to flush in chest, neck and face anyway, so wearing red near my face makes me glow like Rudolph I wear red nails when in the mood and I just bought a cute and simple crimson clutch from Cuyana to carry and I think that will work well with my wardrobe.http://www.cuyana.com/large-le.....imson.html

I love red and most shades but must say lately it feels too “loud” for my outfits. I am loving the simple way you’ve incorporated red here with the neutral outfit and handsome bag! So chic and classy. That would be my preference. I have a pair of skinny red jeans I was dying for last year and haven’t even worn them this year:( maybe I will put those on today. Mom and I are baking cookies and getting in the spirit of the holidays and what could be more fun than red pants!

I’ve always liked some version of red and probably always had something red in my wardrobe. For one reason, red with black and white was such a classic pairing.

Currently I tend to favor the deeper reds so that’s what’s in my closet now….or maybe it’s because there is more available in those shades rather than a brighter true red. In deep red, I have pants, a silk tank, a dress, a shirt and boots. I have boots and a bag in bright red.

Seasonally, I lean more toward the orangey reds for spring and summer. Though my favorite bathing suit is a deep red.

I tend to favor metallics (paired with my go to black) at the holidays more so than red or green.

I love red! High happiness factor for me. Probably could wear it every day. Tomato red has too much orange, but I like other shades of red.

A long time ago, I bought a red futon. It was too bold (and now lives in our basement!), but I would like to incorporate red accents into our decor. Here are a couple of color schemes from design seeds that have inspired me:

My most flattering reds are burgundy, cranberry, bordeaux and deeper blue reds. Tomato soup red is appealing to me, but doesn’t work with my skin tone. A true red would work with my coloring, but I find it overpowering somehow unless it is confined to a small accent item. The deeper reds I wear with abandon throughout the year, though I find more items in those colors have a cool weather fabrication.

At the holidays, I don’t seek to wear red, but do have some burgundies that lend themselves to informal gatherings. This is more a coincidence than not; I will make a nod to the season, but tend to keep it subtle.

Great topic, Angie. I am really enjoying the proliferation of dark reds that have been available the last couple of F/W seasons.

Now I adore looking at shades of lipstick red, scarlet, and all those lovely brighter reds. But all in all, I just won’t wear or own anything that’s a true, clear-tone red. I don’t know why. It just doesn’t speak to me, even if I adore it.

For the shades of red I will wear or accessorize with, I prefer certain shades based on the seasons. In cold months I’ll wear rich darker reds such as crimson, oxblood, and wine. For spring and summer, I’m mad about mid- to deep-tone corals (coral-pink, coral-orange, and true intense coral red!).

Also, I find myself using deep jewel-tone pinks like fuchsia or raspberry, as my “red.”

I love red! Perfect accent to all the black and white and grey in my closet and I have been wearing it more in accessories over last few years. Red shoes? Yes please and thank you.
I had to wear shirts every work day for a couple of years and did tire of the shade but am starting to reintroduce it into the closet this year.

I love red and red loves me back. It’s a very good color for me but I’m struggling to figure out how to wear it lately. I keep hearing how black and red worn together is getting dated and I wear a LOT of black.

I think most reds don’t suit me, but I like wine or burgundy in moderation. Generally reds don’t play a big part in my wardrobe. I don’t have anything against a little bit of brighter red in patterns, but I don’t really want to wear those reds as solids.

I am a red all year round gal. I will admit that as I have aged I do not wear the brighter reds like I did when I was younger. Not sure if it has to do with skin and hair colors changing or just preferences.

When I got married almost 10 years ago my wedding dress was a warm red (to complement my warm colouring), I had red roses, my husband had a red tie with his black suit and my engagement ring has a ruby in it. Yes I like red!!!!! My mother almost fainted when I told her my wedding dress was red.

Red can be a very flattering color on me, but this year I had to force myself to wear my red jeans to a holiday function. This season, I feel compelled to wear shades of gray with a little black or other deep neutrals.

Love red and have lots of it in my closet: Red Chinese quilted jacket, red skirt, red blouses, tomato red pants, red leather gloves, multiple red scarves, red earrings, true red ponte dress, colorblock red sweater, etc. etc. I only have one lipstick and it is “Russian red” by MAC. I agree it is almost like a neutral; goes with pretty much anything in my book. I wear it all the time. Red also has special significance in my culture; growing up Chinese-American, red is the color of fortune, prosperity, anything good. It is considered a lucky color to wear, and is de rigeur to clothe yourself and decorate your house with A LOT of red during Chinese New Year festivities! Even the lucky money that adults give children for CNY is gifted in red envelopes!

I love red. Usually I’ll go more towards the blue based, but I’ve started gravitating some of the more orangy-reds. I like to incorporate a litle more in the holiday season, but it really depends on my mood. I have to be in the mood to wear it.

I love red in all versions. I have a lot of cranberry because it is my favorite color of red but I am missing having more true red in my wardrobe. I am not inclined to wear more red in December, however, I am inclined to wear red for Valentine’s Day.

I love red in all its incarnations, but especially the bright cheery ones. I am currently looking to start wering it on the bottom as well, in skirts and pants. Up until now, it’s been sweaters, tops, and accessories.

I enjoy wearing red and do so in both summer and winter. I prefer an orangey red to a true blue based red. I did overdo red for a few years, then tired of it, so I don’t have as much as I used to in the closet.

Such gorgeous reds!
The best thing I did in the past year or so was to figure out that real red did not fit in my wardrobe very well, but deeper cooler reds do. I had always just assumed I should wear bright, true red. Once I focused on the cooler side, burgundy of course but also some “redder” dark reds, I found more ways to incorporated it.
I am one of those folks who have kept a top or 2 in real red for Christmas season (rather than tossing out) but I am not buying more.

I am sitting on my red sofa! Red is my best color. I wear brighter, truer reds in the summer (mixed with white or camel or blush pink) and darker reds in the fall/winter (with darker colors). I have two red coats, a bright one and a burgundy one. I just got some wine colored booties for this season and I have some great bright red wedge sandals that work well in the summer. I have a classic Burberry scarf that belonged to my father-in-law and I use those colors to help me focus in on colors for my wardrobe for winter.

I wouldn’t say that I never touch red, but I simply don’t care for most various of it. I don’t hate it… but I don’t like it. I just don’t see the point of spending any energy on a color that doesn’t make me happy – not even at this time of the year. There are two shades of red that I do like, but even then, I don’t need or want many things in it. One shade looks like a sun worn beat up red that has been distressed over years of neglect. (it is very specific and I don’t know how else to describe it… only that I know it when I see it) and the other is a sort of purplish burgundy. Otherwise, I will leave red to the rest of those who love it and do it justice!

As a redhead, I grew up being told that I shouldn’t wear red. Wrong-o! I had red shoes as a kid, and when I had my own money to spend on clothes I always had a red top. Wine colours actually look great, and orangey/tomatoe Reds are just fine.

If you count navy and Jean blue as a neutral, then red is my #1 feature colour.

I do love red! I agree that it can work beautifully as a neutral. I like a deep dark red, ox blood I think. It “feels” a lot like black to me:). I recently bought a gorgeous “blood red” draped top (I posed it while you were away Angie) and it’s just such a fab addition to my wardrobe. I would be keen to add a few more pieces in this tone if I can find them:)

I never cared for red until the last few years and now find myself loving both a tomato red and a deep oxblood red. I have a knee length coat and leather handbag in each of these colours. Also a red turtle neck cashmere, a short sleeved knit, a plaid red scarf and some red pumps with a cut out detail. They are not items I use all the time, but I certainly enjoy the variation they offer sometimes.

Red is awesome! I am keeping a small capsule of clothes right now, but I have a red wool trench, red puffer, red stiletto heels, red Doc Martens, red bag, red sweater. When I was a teen, I was given a set of dangly red ruby earrings. I love them and some of the only other regularly worn jewelry items (a necklace and my wedding ring) feature natural rubies as well.

love red, but i’ve not worn a lot of it lately. i think because next to black, which has been the backbone of my pants wardrobe in past few years, it seems really stark. but now that i’ve added more navy and maybe some white, i’ll start to bring it back.
also interesting because i don’t think of burgundy or marsala as red….need to think on this

Yes to red all the way, in all its shades, in every season, ever since I was a kid! My winter coat is a Landsend Modern Down Coat in an orangey-red. I am surprised at how many compliments it garners because of the color.
And recently I’ve been wishing for the perfect red winter dress.
The only “place” I don’t wear red is on my lips–they are already very dark and full, and my skin is fair, so if I put on red or burgundy lipstick, all you see is my mouth. (Of course when I was a teen I didn’t mind this.)

I wear some red, but not a lot. I have to be very careful about the tone. If it veers into the orangey-rusty spectrum, I get lots of questions about my health. I tend to stick with the cool side of the spectrum, as I’m a super pale blonde & those colors are a whole lot less tricky.

I don’t particularly care for red, burgundy is about as close as I’ll get. However, I do own a read dress for wearing to church on Pentecost Sunday, when people wear red to remember the burning bush. Since it’s in June my dress is summer weight.

Love the color red all year long. I am currently sporting a red quilted chain shoulder bag (very ladylike style) this fall/winter. I am liking the oxblood and burgundy colors recently and need to add items to my wardrobe. My challenge is to think out of my rut of pairing red with black, tan, cream/white. This forum is so helpful in getting me to think outside my box and come up with creative alternatives to my “typical” way of doing things.

As an equal opportunity color wearer I do enjoy wearing red year-round! Even though I’m on Team Orange, I think I actually have more red in my wardrobe than orange. I like to wear very bright shades (both warm and true reds) along with cranberry/burgundy shades in winter. I don’t know that I necessarily make it a point to wear more red during the holiday season (if anything I end up wearing more blue and silver), but certainly the darker shades aren’t appealing to me the rest of the year; in coooold weather I just love wearing cranberry with white, orange, and cognac!

Yes to red and especially as you showed in photos #6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12. From the red MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA booties with the black dress and Peter Pilotto, to the casual pieces and then the Valextra handbag, these reds in all shades add so much beauty.